Written by Menswear Style in Health & Fitness on the 10th November 2020

Sleep is essential to our physical and mental well-being. If you’re sleeping on a low-quality mattress, you might experience poor sleep as a result. Inadequate rest could lead to serious issues like obesity, stress, depression, anxiety, and even shorter life expectancy. If you’ve been dreaming of a softer or more supportive bed, there’s no time like the present to invest in your health. In today’s hyper-competitive world, it’s critical to take care of yourself to stay at the top of your game. We’ve compiled a guide on how to find a top-quality mattress that can work for a variety of incomes.

Quality to Price Ratio 

A common belief is that a higher cost equates to a greater quality product. However, this isn’t always the case, and the consumer industry is evolving with the rise of technological advances. Many mattress companies have begun to bypass brick and mortar shops and sell directly to consumers (DTC) through their websites. With these changes, you can find high-quality mattresses that usually would have been in the £500-£1000 range in-store for less online, with some even under the £300 mark, making luxury more accessible for people on a tighter budget. This shift in business models allows companies to pass savings directly to their consumers, creating better competition, higher quality products for less, and happier customers.

Deciding Which Type You Need 

When you’re researching a product, sorting through the noise can be challenging but an emerging industry of sleep product reviewers, such as Sleep Advisor, does the hard work for you, offering informative online resources to help you find a quality budget mattress. Below, we’ll break down various mattress features, how they could benefit you, and what to keep an eye out for when searching for your next dream bed.  

Firmness: Each individual has different bodies and various needs. Even the position in which you sleep can help dictate which type of mattress you find comfortable. Many stomach sleepers, due to natural spinal alignment, will prefer a firmer mattress. If you still enjoy a plush feel, you might appreciate a firm mattress with a pillow top for added comfort. If you sleep on your back or side, a softer mattress might be preferable, particularly if you suffer from aches or pains. A cushy bed might be able to provide better pressure relief from tender joints than a firmer product. Further, if you’re a heavier individual, you might prefer a firmer product over a soft one, as a softer product might not be capable of providing proper support.  

Support and Cooling: Firmness can feel different to various people. However, the support system within a mattress is objective. The most popular methods of support include memory foam and innerspring coils. Memory foam has gotten a bad reputation for running warm. Yet, many newer models have mitigated this issue through an infused cooling gel, helping sleepers rest comfortably throughout the night. Innerspring coils are excellent for support and cooling. They’re known for lasting a considerable amount of time and are wonderful for cooling. Because there is air between the coils, this allows for even ventilation throughout the product.

Motion Isolation: Motion transfer is a critical feature to consider, particularly if you sleep alongside a partner. If you’re a light sleeper, a mattress with strong motion isolation could help prevent either of you from disturbing the other. If you wake up during the night due to your partner getting up to use the toilet or tossing and turning a lot, it can wear you down and affect your sleep, disrupting your well-being as a result. If you struggle with sleep due to a partner, this feature should be near the top of your priority list. 

Trial Period and Warranty: Most mattresses won’t fall apart on you, but better to be safe than sorry. Choosing a product with a strong warranty will tell you how confident the company is in their work and how committed they are to ensuring customer satisfaction. It’s ideal to try a product before you buy it. You likely won’t be able to try a mattress that’s bought online before purchase (although you could find some offered in stores), but you can buy a product with a generous trial period. Many companies offer considerable time-frames to try out a product; it’s not uncommon to find mattresses that come with a three-month or even year-long trial period. Meaning that if you don’t like it, most companies will pick it up for free, saving you the hassle.

Before you make a purchase make sure you read the product’s trial period and warranty policy. Even budget mattresses are large purchases, and knowing you’re buying something you can return without question could make for a more pleasant experience. Sleep is critical for our health and well-being. If we want to regularly perform our best and show up ready to take on the day, quality rest needs to be a top priority, and a proper mattress could help. Finding a quality product at a minimal cost can be a challenge, but with the right knowledge around what makes a supportive and comfortable bed, you’ll be better equipped to make the right choice. With your newly gained mattress knowledge, you’ll hopefully be able to find the perfect bed for you, within your budget.

We turn to Sleep Advisor for this blog post which looks at the science of sleep, advising how to find the best mattress.